Almond tree, Cruz

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of almond tree denominated varietally as &#34;Cruz&#34; and which is characterized as to novelty by a date of maturity for commercial harvesting and shipment of approximately September 5 under the ecological conditions prevailing at Hickman, Calif., in the Central part of the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of almondtree, hereinafter denominated varietally as "Cruz", and which issomewhat similar in its overall physical characteristics to theNonpareil almond tree (unpatented), but from which it is distinguishabletherefrom and characterized principally as to novelty by producing acrop which is ripe for harvesting and shipment approximately seven toten days after the Nonpareil variety of almond tree, that is, September5, under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valleyof Central California.

In a continuing effort to upgrade the quality of his employer'sagricultural products, the inventor is constantly on the alert to locateany new varieties of trees that may appear from time to time as chanceseedlings or mutations, in the commercial orchards, or otheragricultural areas under his supervision and control. In connection withthese labors, the applicant, in 1970, discovered a chance seedling ofunknown parentage, growing in the cultivated area of the public right ofway at the corner of Livingston and Cressey Roads, north of Cressey Way,in Cressey, Calif.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of almond tree was a chance seedling of unknownparentage which was discovered within the cultivated area of the publicright of way on the Livingston-Cressey Road, north of Cressey Way, inCressey, Calif. The subject variety was observed at that time to havedesirable characteristics and it was thereafter asexually reproduced bythe inventor by removing buds, in 1978, from the original chanceseedling and by budding them into test seedlings which were then growingon the Dave Wilson Nursery growing grounds located on Lake Road, inHickman, Calif. These budded test seedlings have been continuallyobserved and evaluated by the inventor and it has subsequently beendetermined that the progeny produced by these test seedlings possess thesame distinctive characteristics as the original chance seedling.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The almond tree of the present invention is noteworthy in ripeningapproximately September 5 under the ecological conditions prevailing inHickman, Calif., the subject variety maturing for harvesting andshipment approximately seven to ten days after the Nonpareil Almond Tree(unpatented) at the same geographical location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing is an illustration by photographic reproductionof a portion of a branch of an almond tree of the new variety showing amature crop arranged in clusters along the branch. Further, the drawingalso illustrates mature whole nuts, both with and without the shellsremoved, which are representative of the crop borne by the new varietyof almond tree, denominated varietally as "Cruz".

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the botanical details of this new anddistinct variety of almond tree, the following has been observed underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the orchard of the inventor'semployer which is located in Hickman, Calif. All major color codedesignations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council,National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also employedoccasionally.

TREE

Size:

Generally.--Average as compared with other common almond tree varietieswhich can grow in this general geographical location.

Density: Upright and open, depending upon pruning practices.

Vigor: Average.

Regularity of bearing: Regular.

Rootstock compatability: The subject variety "Cruz" is compatible withMarianna 2624 rootstock. This compatability is in stark contrast to theNonpareil variety of almond tree which cannot be grown on theaforementioned root stock.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium.

Surface texture.--Normal as compared with other common almond treevarieties.

Branches:

Size.--Average.

Surface texture.--Average as compared with other common almond treevarieties.

Lenticels:

Numbers.--Numerous.

Size.--Average.

Branching habit: Average, depending upon pruning practices.

Color:

New Growth.--Green, (120 m. Y. G). The exposed surfaces of some newgrowth may be tinged red (13. deep Red - 16. d. Red).

One year or older wood.--Brown, (58. m. Br).

LEAVES

Foliage quantity:

Generally.--Average as compared with other almond tree varieties whichwill grow in approximately the same geographical area.

Size:

Generally.--Average.

Average length.--Approximately 31/2", (88.9 mm.).

Average width.--Approximately 11/4", (31.75 mm.).

Shape:

Generally.--Acuminate.

Tip:

Shape.--Acutely pointed.

Base:

Shape.--Oblique.

Thickness:

Generally.--Average as compared with other common almond tree varietieswhich will grow in approximately the same geographical area.

Marginal form: Coarsely serrate.

Petiole:

Length.--Average.

Thickness.--Medium.

Glands:

Generally.--No glands are evident.

Color:

Upwardly disposed surface.--Green, (125. m. Ol G).

Downwardly disposed surface.--Yellow Green, (120 m. y G).

Bloom:

Amount.--Heavy as compared with other common almond tree varieties whichare grown in the same geographical area.

Bloom color: Pink. The color is not particularly distinctive of thesubject variety.

Date of bloom: Early as compared with other common almond treevarieties. The subject variety "Cruz" blooms approximately three daysbefore the Nonpareil Almond Tree at Hickman, Calif. Further, the almondtree "Cruz" blooms over a longer period of time thereby facilitating thepollenization of other almond trees growing in the same geographicalvicinity.

FRUIT

Productivity: Heavy as compared with other common almond tree varieties.Moreover, the variety "Cruz" yields a more consistent crop from year toyear.

Distribution of nuts on the tree: Well distributed throughout.

Ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment: Approximately 7 to 10 daysafter the Nonpareil variety of almond tree, that is, approximatelySeptember 5 near Hickman, Calif.

Harvesting:

Generally.--The subject variety "Cruz" hangs well on the tree duringharvesting and is considered easy to harvest and easy to hull ascompared with other common almond tree varieties.

Hull:

Outside surface texture.--Smooth.

Pits:

Generally.--Pitted.

Form:

Generally.--Considered regular.

Hull thickness: Thin, as compared with other almond tree varieties.

Flesh:

Texture.--Tough.

Suture:

Shape.--Flat and depressed.

Hull color: Light green and having a silvery sheen, (120. m. y G).

Blush.--Tan, (58. m. Br).

Dehiscence: The subject variety opens freely.

Splitting:

Generally.--Splitting occurs along the suture.

NUT

Size:

Generally.--Average as compared with other common almond tree varieties.

Average length.--Approximately 11/8", (28.575 mm.).

Average width.--Approximately 3/4", (19.050 mm.).

Average thickness.--Approximately 1/2", (12.7 mm.).

Form:

Generally.--Considered ovate.

Thickness: Considered plump.

Shell:

Surface texture.--Soft, thin, and ragged. Outer shell -- Surface texture-- Crumbling. Inner shell -- Surface texture -- Soft and considered wellsealed. This appears to be in contrast to the Nonpareil variety which isnot considered to be well sealed.

Color: Variable, dark brown, (76. l. y Br-77. m. y Br).

Pits:

Size.--Small.

Numbers.--Numerous.

Depth.--Shallow, and irregularly shaped.

Base:

Shape.--Square.

Stem scar:

Size.--Large and obtusely positioned.

Apex:

Shape.--Blunt.

Wing:

Shape.--Thin and narrow. Further the wing is tapered toward the apex.

Inner surface:

Color.--Darkly colored. The color is not distinctive, however.

Ventral streak:

Color.--Dark, narrow, and short. The ventral streak has an acute point.

Percent of kernel to nut: Approximately 60%.

KERNEL

Size:

Generally.--Considered average as compared with other common almond treevarieties.

Average length.--Approximately 7/8", (22.225 mm.).

Average width.--Approximately 5/8", (15.875 mm.).

Average thickness.--Approximately 3/8", (9.525 mm.).

Form:

Generally.--Considered rounded.

Thickness:

Generally.--Average as compared with other almond tree varieties.

Base:

Shape.--Square.

Stem scar:

Shape.--Small.

Apex:

Shape.--Sharp.

Surface texture: Wrinkled.

Pellicle:

Thickness.--Thin.

Pubescence:

Generally.--Medium.

Color: Light brown, (57 I. Br).

Numbers of doubles produced: Few.

Flavor: Average as compared with other almond tree varieties.

Quality: Good.

Susceptibility to common diseases: The subject variety "Cruz" displaysan increased resistance to brown rot disease, as compared with theNonpareil variety of almond tree.

Although the new variety of almond tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing inHickman, Calif., in the Central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is tobe understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning andpest control are to be expected.

Having thus described and illustrated my new variety of almond tree,what is new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A new anddistinct variety of almond tree substantially as illustrated anddescribed and which is somewhat similar to the Nonpareil almond tree(believed unpatented) which matures at approximately the same time ofthe season, but which is distinguished therefrom and characterizedprincipally as to novelty, by producing a crop which is ripe forcommercial harvesting and shipment approximately seven to ten days afterthe Nonpareil variety of almond tree and which further has a longerblooming period than the Nonpareil variety of almond tree, the newvariety of almond tree "Cruz" facilitating the pollenization of otheralmond trees growing in the immediate geographical vicinity thereof.